by Mac users who value their online privacy and independence, as well as those who want to access geo-blocked content, are increasingly turning to virtual private networks (VPNs). A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your device’s data as it travels across the internet and reroutes it through a server of your choosing.
This means you may use them to access blocked content, protect your data while on public wifi, access regionally restricted content (including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more), download torrents, and run Kodi without any issues. They are compatible with the Macbook, Macbook Air, Macbook Retina, and Macbook Pro. Here, we’ll go into the specifics of the best VPNs for Mac Users.
Best VPNs For Mac and Safari
Learn about the best Mac VPNs of 2024. For this list, we examined hundreds of Mac VPNs and compared them across a variety of criteria to bring you the best VPNs For your Mac.
1. CyberGhost
The CyberGhost Mac app provides access to a server network comprising 9,676 nodes in 91 different countries. I was able to access my US Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max accounts from outside the US after testing more than 15 different US-based servers.
VPN has dedicated streaming and torrenting servers. The torrenting connections are safe and quick. The streaming servers are optimized for high speeds and constant access to streaming sites.
It protects your data with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch. It automatically connects to the VPN whenever you access a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Using an internet app on my Mac, I checked eight different servers for IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks and found none.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN was our top pick for best VPN overall, and it remains so as our top pick for Mac. Powered by its own innovative Lightway protocol, the provider’s speeds are so rapid that many customers may not even realize they have it turned on.
ExpressVPN uses its own ‘TrustedServer’ DNS servers for utmost discretion, so your information is never shared with a third party. This, along with the indestructible encryption and the 100% certified zero-logging policy, gives you peace of mind that your private data is safe.
As a bonus, ExpressVPN also offers the highest-quality streaming performance of any VPN. It can unblock content from Netflix around the world, BBC iPlayer in countries other than the UK, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and many more.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is very serious about keeping your data safe. Its ‘Double VPN’ feature, which is optional, encrypts data twice, sending it through two different VPN servers for further safety. Meshnet, the most recent addition, further enhances security by enabling encrypted chat and web proxy extensions.
If streaming is your primary VPN use case, then NordVPN is an excellent choice. You’ll be able to watch content from Netflix around the world, as well as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, YouTube, and more.
If you’re looking for a VPN to use for torrenting, you’ll be happy to know that this service allows P2P. It has a stringent ‘zero logs’ policy, which is audited annually by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
4. Surfshark
Currently, Surfshark’s servers can be found in over sixty-three different countries. It’s quick and provides better security than its competitors. It has a kill switch (all versions), automatically blocks ads and malware, and safeguards against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, among other features.
Additionally, Surfshark does not record any personally identifiable information. With this service, you can access a wide variety of services that are normally unavailable in other countries, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
There is no data cap, making it perfect for streaming, and customer service is available around the clock via live chat should you run into any problems.
5. Proton VPN
You may use Proton VPN on your Mac for as long as you like with their limitless data plan. Remarkable, considering the fact that the typical free VPN service only allows you to stream for a maximum of two to three hours.
In addition, the speeds of its neighboring servers are rather respectable using my MacBook Air, I was able to achieve an average of 31.2 Mbps when connecting to its local servers in the Netherlands.
65+ free servers in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands are at your disposal. Only a handful of country-specific websites were accessible to me. When I was using its links to the Netherlands, I did not think twice about allowing Mediacourant and Dumpert access.
6. TorGuard
While TorGuard may seem out of place here, we couldn’t leave it out of the mix because it is, hands down, the most robust and customizable VPN for Mac that we’ve tested. Our TorGuard review showed that, unlike many of its rivals, the German service also supports Mac OS X and provides nearly all of the features available in its Windows VPN client.
It’s not afraid to flaunt its technical nature, and it may be very satisfying for experts. Nonetheless, if you aren’t dead serious about these things, we advise you to look elsewhere for service.
Not even our professional reviewers were able to fully understand all of the client’s settings, their purpose, and the benefits they provided.
7. Private Internet Access
If you’re looking for VPNs for Mac that don’t break the bank but still delivers reliable service, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great option. Because of its flexible configuration options, it is suitable for both casual users and advanced computer technicians.
It has stopped disclosing how many employees it has. But we’ve been told that the figure is somewhere close to 10,000 at the moment. When compared to NordVPN’s 5,000 and ExpressVPN’s 3, that’s an incredible number. Even more impressive, it has a server in every single one of the 50 states in the United States.
We’re also surprised by how popular it seems to be with the people who use it. Its iOS app, for example, is more popular than a lot of other services in the App Store right now.
